Ryan Braun and the Book of Biogenesis: What we know and where we go from here

The Milwaukee Brewers’ megastar and MVP-winning outfielder, Ryan Braun, has taken fans to hell and back when it comes to accusations regarding performance enhancing drugs (PEDs).

Just when Brewers nation thought they were in the clear with a player their small market team threw the bank at, Major League Baseball comes roaring back with a 100 game suspension threat.

Whether or not the league office is bluffing or not, it’s becoming increasingly more difficult to believe Braun is truly innocent.

Here’s what we know and what the Brewers face in what presumably will be a rocky few months in Milwaukee.

What We Know

– Back in February of 2012, Braun successfully appealed a 50 game suspension when it was proven that his urine sample could have possibly been tampered with. Dino Laurenzi Jr., the sample collector in Wisconsin, took the urine back to his house instead of sending it directly to the lab. Even though the sample showed no evidence of being tampered with, the time spent in a fridge was against protocol and enough for an arbitrator to rule that the sample could not be used.

– Prior to the 2013 season, the Miami New Times came upon some documents from Biogenesis linking 20 MLB players to the possible purchase of PEDs. Braun was one of those players and claimed his name was there because he used the clinic for consultation during his appeal in 2012.

– On Tuesday, ESPN’s Outside the Lines reported that Biogenesis frontman, Tony Bosch, will cooperate with MLB and be the bridge that connects the paper evidence to players actually purchasing and using PEDs. Not only does Braun face a 50 game suspension for using a banned substance, but also another 50 games for not being truthful with the league.

Where We Go From Here

– Despite the above mentioned reports, the only thing that is really known is that Braun is public enemy #1 of the MLB which is an interesting notion when you consider Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig’s love for the Brewers franchise. The league feels Braun is guilty and appear to be in it for the long haul when it comes to getting revenge.

– It’s most likely going to get more ugly before it gets more clear. The MLB will bring their suspensions and the players will be allowed to appeal, setting up a mess of hearings and questions that could never be answered. This will most likely stretch in to September, meaning suspensions will probably occur in 2014 if they do actually do come to fruition.

– By no means am I saying Braun is guilty, but here’s the worst case scenario. Braun will indeed be suspended 100 games and an already bad Brewers team will delve even further in to the abyss of bottom-feeders in the National League (we’re talking Miami Marlins status). It will become significantly more difficult for the passionate Brewers fans to forgive and cheer for a player who if found guilty will be a cheating and dishonest person.

I could go on and on about how detrimental it would be for Braun and the Milwaukee Brewers franchise if he’s actually linked to the Biogenesis clinic, but unlike others, I will hold off my thoughts until we learn more on the issue.

What do you think of the Ryan Braun issue? Is he guilty or not? Let me know by commenting below.

Nick Grays is a senior writer at the Sports Bank where he covers the Wisconsin Badgers and Green BayPackers. He also enjoys sharing Fantasy Advice and pretends to be a Golf expert from time-to-time. Follow him on Twitter by clicking here or visit his blog Nick Knows Best. If social media is not your thing, shoot him an email at grays@uwalumni.com.